After selling out within days, Edinburgh-based brewer Vault City has re-released a small batch of their “Last Christmas” beer inspired by two of the 80s’ most loved creations: WHAM Bars and Wham! Yes, that legendary pop duo featuring George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley.
To make the nostalgic brew, the sour beer producer boiled down and infused the flavour of 500 Wham chew bars – the 80s sweetie made by Scottish confectionery company McCowan’s which once sold more than 30 million bars per year, proving popular due to their low price and tasty recipe.
After the bars are boiled, the brewer uses a modified keg as a dosing unit to infuse the beer with a zingy citric flavour and a bright pink colour.
Vault City co-founder Steven Smith-Hay said: “This has been one of our fastest selling beers ever – I reckon it’s because of nostalgia, whether that’s for Wham!, the band, or WHAM, the sweet.
“Flavour is a big part of it too. People love the creativity of our drinks – our infusion method intensifies the sweetness and flavours. The notes of sharp raspberry and a fizzy tang taste just like the sour chew bar I loved growing up.”
“Our love of sour beer is almost a match for our love of 80’s music, especially a Christmas classic so it felt like the perfect pairing, and people seem to agree. We’re glad we’ve been able to provide a limited re-release which will make for the perfect Christmas present, especially for people of a certain age.”
With a festive Christmas tree on the label to get you into the holiday spirit, the 4.1% retro-inspired beverage isn’t the only Vault City creation to take beer lovers back in time. Other nostalgic flavours include Capri Crush, Jam Roly Poly, DDF Caterpillar Cake, Iron-Brew, Rhubarb and Custard, Wagon Wheels, and Cereal Spooner Red Berry — inspired by the sweet milk at the bottom of your cereal bowl.
The popularity of sour beers has grown over the years, with iconic and unique flavours attracting new customers. Sour beer, first created in Belgium in the early 18th century, includes classic styles such as Belgian Lambics, Gueuze, German Gose, and Berliner Weisse.
Priced at £4.50 for a 440ml can, the new beer will be one of the last Christmas releases brewed in Vault City’s Portobello brewers as it prepares to move to a new home seven times its size. At its new site at Edinburgh’s BioCampus the brewer will now be able to produce more than 10 million litres of beer per year – an increase of more than eight million – as it sets its sights on becoming the world’s largest producer of sour beer.
You can try the beer by ordering online and at The Vault City taproom in Edinburgh, The Wee Vault, which has more taps than seats and is only a brisk 2-minute walk from Haymarket train station, as well as at stockists around the UK. Check your local stockists across the UK and buy online here.
